ED tightens probe against Veena; likely to be grilled again next week, FEMA violations also under probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has tightened its investigation against Veena T, daughter of former chief minister and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan. The ED will also investigate whether there was any violation of FEMA regulations over the transfer of Rs 85 lakh to Dubai. Reports said she is likely to be summoned again for interrogation next week.

There are also suspicions that a SIM card registered in another person’s name may have been used for hawala transactions. Veena had written in her diary about sending Rs 85 lakh to Dubai. The ED is investigating how the money was transferred and to whom it was sent.

The ED had stated in a press release that Veena’s diary contained details of transactions amounting to Rs 20.05 crore, as well as information about the transfer of Rs 85 lakh to Dubai. The statement was issued following raids conducted by the ED at nine locations in Kozhikode on Tuesday in connection with its investigation into alleged payments made by CMRL for services that were not actually provided. The handwritten accounts were reportedly found in documents seized from Veena on May 27.

It contains the names of people who handled, spent and transferred the money, along with details of the amount sent to Dubai. The accounts are recorded in both UAE and Indian currencies.The ED is also examining Veena’s reported use of a SIM card registered in someone else’s name through a Wi-Fi router for internet calls. The SIM was reportedly registered in the name of Nandulal, destination manager with DTPC in Kozhikode. There are reports that Veena had been using a SIM registered in Nandulal’s name since 2014.

The recent raids were conducted at the homes of people mentioned in Veena’s notes. Several digital devices were also reportedly seized during the raids. The investigation has reportedly found that CMRL made Rs 182 crore in allegedly suspicious expenditures over a period of 15 years. This includes the Rs 2.78 crore paid to Veena’s company, Exalogic Solutions.